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Citing historical reference to importance of Article 370, National Conference (NC) Chief Farooq Abdullah on Monday said that after the special status of Jammu-Kashmir was taken away, people from the Union terrirory have lost their jobs.
The former Chief Minister further criticized the government for abrogating Article 370 and said that people from the region are losing their jobs, which are being given to people from the other States. The statement by the National Conference Chief and the Former Chief Minister of Jammu-Kashmir comes days ahead of the second phase assembly elections in J-K, which are scheduled for September 25. "Maharaja Hari Singh has made one rule in 1927. At that time there was no Pakistan and Hindustan. Maharaj was concerned that the if the state gets overpowered and the rich come and seize their land where would our people go? The same rule got converted to Article 370," Abdullah said while making an address in J-K's Rajouri district. "After the abrogation of Article 370, our lands and jobs are being taken from us. People from other states are being given jobs here. This is your land and your children should get these jobs. We promise that we will give employment to 1 lakh youth," he said. Notably, the election manifesto released by the National Conference this August claimed to restore Article 370. The party's Vice President, Omar Abdullah, launched the manifesto, which includes some huge promises like the restoration of Article 370, 35-A and statehood; redrawing the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019; and the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. In response to BJP's accusations against the National Conference (NC) and Congress regarding attempts to end reservations for Gujjars and Pahadis, Farooq Abdullah said, "I want to ask the BJP, that they governed for ten years but just ahead of the parliamentary elections, the Pahadis were given ST status, why not earlier? " "They accuse us of supporting terrorism by backing Article 370. I want to ask why is terrorism still there. I want to ask them, that in Ram Mandir, a SC girl was raped. Did they speak about it. Did the CM speak out it? They cannot protect anyone, they can only protect their seats," Abdullah said while speaking to the media," he said.The Congress and the National Conference are fighting the polls in alliance. The PDP, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and People's Conference, to name a few, are other parties in the fray for 90 Assembly seats.This is the first election in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. Leaders have held hectic campaigns to boost the prospects of their party candidates. Voting for the second and third phases in J-K will be held on September 25 and October 1, respectively. Votes will be counted on October 8. (ANI)
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